Three nights a week, the lights shine brightly over the turf field at Stephen Hand’s Path as soccer players trickle in from their day jobs, eager to blow off some steam and show off their skills. The group, known as East End Pickup Soccer, has nearly 500 followers on Instagram, and almost 300 members in its text chain.
Kevin Ruiz, a 2021 graduate of East Hampton High School and a Springs resident, started East End Pickup Soccer at the beginning of the summer. A former semipro player, he wanted to create a more competitive place for people to play.
“Why don’t we just create something big?” he asked himself. “Even though we always had pickup sessions, I wanted to make it something more serious, more out there and very well-known. And it all clicked. One random day at work, I hit up some of my friends — two friends — and I think we played with 20 people that night. We just started popping off. We keep growing.”
Michael Godinez, one of the friends Ruiz contacted, is a college soccer player transferring from the State University at Old Westbury to SUNY Canton this fall. He also played semipro soccer with NY Renegades FC in Nassau County and wanted to practice at a higher level during the summer.
“For me, as an athlete, I always want to get better. College season is coming up, right around the corner. This is prepping me really well,” he said. “I knew there were a bunch of players on the East End that want to play and have fun. We posted it and in less than an hour we had 80 heads in the group chat.”
For Godinez, it’s not only an opportunity to play more competitive pickup soccer, but also a fantastic way to avoid getting stuck in the trade parade after work. He commutes every day from Riverhead to Bridgehampton, where he works as a barista. In the mornings he leaves the house at 4:30 to beat the traffic.
“This helps me with the long days, sometimes dealing with annoying customers,” he said. “You come here, kick the ball around for two hours, and it helps you come back the next day.”
East End Pickup Soccer is open to athletes of all abilities who are 16 and older and to both men and women, though the group is predominantly male.
“We have a couple of MLS NEXT players, high school players, a couple of college-committed players. Some play at U.P.S.L. [United States Premier League] levels, L.I.S.F.L. [Long Island Soccer Football League] levels,” Ruiz said. “All levels are welcome here as long as you bring your heart and your commitment. And your soccer cleats!”
At its busiest, the group has drawn 60 players, while typical evenings attract between 30 and 35. Just before play begins, Ruiz randomly divides them into teams, with a little help from ChatGPT.
“We’re all enjoying full field, 11-versus-11 soccer,” he said. “Sometimes we play 40 yards, just one field, three teams, just to keep it intense. I’m trying to get most of my boys ready for their season. I don’t want it to be just a regular pickup session.”
Esteban Diaz, 17, plays on East Hampton High School’s varsity soccer team. These nightly sessions have helped him prepare for his senior year.
“This has been helpful in keeping my stamina up,” Diaz said. “My friends were talking about it, so I had to join. I feel like it went beyond the hype. A lot of people started showing up — people from Bridgehampton, Hampton Bays, Montauk, and other parts of the East End — and it’s made it really fun and competitive. The competition is probably the best part, along with playing with your friends.”
The lights on the turf field have made a huge difference. Many of the guys used to join pickup games at the high school, where they had to work around the student-athletes’ schedules and couldn’t play once the sun went down. Now they’re out on the fields well into the evening.
“We come and play till about 9:30 or until they turn the lights off. They have to kick us out of here,” said Patrick Gonzalez of East Hampton. He loves that it gives the younger players something safe and healthy to do in their free time. “This is a different bunch of people here. These guys, their priorities are different. They’re into sports and their health, and they’re not out drinking and driving. This is a good thing for the community.”
Last weekend, they hosted tryouts for their first men’s team for players 17 and older, which will play in tournaments throughout the year.
“The men’s team will be completely different,” Ruiz said. “We’ll have a set roster of 18 players, organized training sessions, and a coach. The goal is to play actual matches and tournaments, and compete against other teams.”
East End Pickup Soccer meets Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays at 7:30 p.m. on the turf field at Stephen Hand’s Path. More information is available on Instagram at @ehsh.ppickups.
